Who Created Concrete?

The Nabataean Traders

As professionals in the concrete industry, it's crucial to appreciate the historical roots of our craft. The Nabataean Traders are credited with creating the first concrete-like structures around 6500BC. Today, we delve into the extraordinary ingenuity of their groundbreaking use of concrete-like materials in ancient times.

Renowned for their proficiency in trade, the Nabataeans, left an indelible mark on history with their architectural prowess. Let's quantify the awe-inspiring nature of Petra, the jewel of Nabataean architecture. Spanning over 100 square kilometers, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts more than 800 structures carved into rose-colored sandstone cliffs. Utilizing locally sourced materials, analysis reveals that their concrete-like mixture consisted of approximately 50% limestone, 25% sand, and 25% water. Much, much different than the consistency of modern-day mixes.

Being a desert nation, water was a major concern for them. Their early engineering prowess led them to create a sophisticated water management system which diverted and stored an estimated 20 million gallons of water annually! This allowed them to facilitate urban sustainability in such an environment. On top of this supply, they also knew the advantages of keeping their concrete as dry as possible. Due to excess moisture causing voids and weaknesses in the concrete. This process still has not changed today. We strive to keep concrete as low a slump as possible to minimize water’s affect on the mix.

It was through their trading nature that they exchanged the early knowledge and advanced concrete practices to the neighboring civilizations around them. We can contribute the building of the Great Pyramids to the knowledge shared by the Nabataean traders to the ancient Egyptians. Their innovative use of concrete-like materials has had notable influence in Roman and Byzantine architectural styles.

In conclusion, the Nabataean traders' mastery of concrete-like materials stands as a testament to their ingenuity and resourcefulness. As professionals in the concrete industry, it's imperative to recognize and draw inspiration from the rich tapestry of history, leveraging ancient innovations to inform and enhance our modern practices.